GRAND VALLEY BIA

FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM

Introduction

Numerous building façades along the main street in the Village of Grand Valley have retained

their original detailing. Some have been upgraded, or altered for various reasons, and infilling

and reconstruction have resulted in new construction of various styles. In addition, the 1985

tornado damaged brick façades and caused failed structural integrity altering the historic façade.

During reconstruction of the Downtown and through tenant and owner turnover façades have

changed. A lack of clear identity has resulted in a number of façade themes emerging. In other

cases, limited resources have been allocated and nothing has been done to improve or revitalize

the downtown façades.

The Downtown BIA has identified a heritage and natural theme, and in forward thinking, sees

the value of providing guidelines to future revitalization. The intent of the façade guidelines is

to help improve the overall look and feel of the main street and help it to become more desirable

as a destination.

The proposed façade guidelines work in line with the proposed façade improvement funding

program which could be employed to aid building and business owners in transforming their

building’s façades. The guidelines suggest ways in which a building façade can be improved to

suit the desired heritage or natural theme.

Façade Improvement Guideline

The Façade Improvement Guideline for Grand Valley provides information on awnings, signage,

planters, shutters, colour and

lighting. It also includes

information on how to

administer a façade

improvement grant program.

It is important to provide

guidance to applicants as

well as to ensure that the

integrity of the program is

understood and followed.

The elements of a façade are

illustrated to assist the

applicant with common

terminology.

Applicant’s Process

Step One: Capturing Your Building’s Appearance

An important first step is to photograph your building before proposing alterations to its

exterior. Examine the entire façade (storefront and the upper story) and consider the

windows, doors and detailing. A successful improvement strategy is one that looks at

the building as a whole and enhances or revitalizes it as a single entity. The typical

historic building had a brick or masonry façade, with detailing around windows, cornice

and sills and features entry point. The goal is to respect the historic detailing and

provide a façade that is cohesive to the corridor and exemplifies the Downtown historic

theme through the façade and enhanced through natural elements.

Step Two: Site Functionality

The site has to have a high level of functionality. The street must be kept tidy and

accessible to attract visitors and consumers. It is important that through revitalization

the site does not become too cluttered, and that all opportunities to move trash and staff

parking to the rear are seized. A high level of upkeep will strengthen the Downtown

image.

Step Three: Maintenance

Prior to commencing façade improvements a building should be inspected and repairs

and cleaning performed. It is recommended that a regular maintenance schedule be

established for façade cleaning and regular maintenance. Such schedule could be

store specific or could be a Downtown effort.

Prior to commencing façade improvements it is recommended that the following be

Inspected and repaired as necessary:

• Checking roof to ensure that it is watertight

• Scraping chipped and peeling paint and repainting

• Repainting and patching deteriorated masonry or stonework joints

• Replacing deteriorated building surfaces

• Repairing and painting window frames and sills

• Repairing or replacing weatherproofing agents

• Establishing a sidewalk washing schedule

Step Four: Proposed Revitalization Plan

With the help of the guidelines found herein prepare a sketch of your building façade

that outlines your proposal for revitalization. Indicate repairs and upgrades, materials,

and colours. If you are not intending to do the work yourself, use this sketch to get a

fixed price to have the work undertaken.

Step Five: Select your Revitalization Team

Talk with the contractor and ask about the specific skills required to protect

historic masonry or details from deterioration.

Ask the contractor for multiple references.

Renovations are frequently the cause of cost surprises. Be prepared for the

unexpected.

Step Six: The Application

Contact the Township of Grand Valley for the Façade and Signage Improvement Grant

Program Application Form. It will outline all requirements for this Façade Improvement

Program.

Façade and Signage Improvement The following facade improvement guideline for the Town of Grand Valley is in response

to an interest in improving the overall look and feel of the downtown core. The

guidelines are intended to illustrate how façades can be altered to satisfy the

downtown’s vision to follow a heritage theme.

The guidelines are intended to ensure that your improvement proposal is in keeping

with our community’s vision of for Downtown Revitalization. The guideline and Project

Design Checklist are intended to illustrate how the grant can offer assistance to

business owners thinking about giving their building façade a face lift.

The following sections are intended to help create an identity for your storefront while

respecting the needs of the commercial corridor. These recommendations are not

meant to limit your creativity but to encourage and channel it so that you have the best

possible result from your efforts and available resources.

General Façade Guidelines

Maximize natural lighting

Provide rain and snow shelters in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

When improving an entrance, aim to enhance accessibility for persons with

disabilities.

All building faces adjacent to Main Street and cross roads should have entrances

that are clearly identified.

Façade treatments should promote building entrances.

Façade treatments should be capable of being adapted to new building uses and

expansion as the needs and the priorities of the owners change.

Façade projects and renovation should provide personal safety as well as

perceived or a sense of comfort. Consider spatial clarity and legibility, signage

and orientation, lighting and visibility, planting, paving materials, and winter

walkability-mobility ramp gradients, traffic controls, and safety alert devices.

Façade should express a sense of permanence from its historic theme and

durability and connectivity to the past.

A Façade should echo its historic role as a service center and commercial core,

providing a feeling of openness, safety, accessibility, welcoming and familiarity.

A Façade should relate to the scale and size of the street and pedestrian

experience.

Façade materials should be cohesive with surroundings. Large blank walls

should be discouraged.

Façade projects should be designed to reduce maintenance costs.

Awnings can provide practical benefits for a building facade, but can also

dramatically animate or create movement along the streetscape itself. An awning

is a clever way to extend a building facade into the street, claiming that part of

the sidewalk that it covers as its own, demanding attention from the passing

customer. Awnings also become worn and outdated. It is important to recognize

the maintenance costs associated with an awning.

Shutters, although no longer used for their original use of protecting widows, can

add visual interest to a building facade. If painted in a contrasting colour to match

other trim, shutters can animate a facade that might otherwise be considered

stark, boring, and uninteresting.

Signage

(Excerpt from Town of Minto Design Guidelines)

Traditionally, signs were smaller, mounted on a decorative arm perpendicular to the

storefront and oriented to the pedestrian. Signs have become bigger, bolder, and louder

with the advancement of the passing vehicle. Now signs are back lit, are not integrated

into the architecture of the building and have no appeal to a historic theme. Advertising

is not limited to just a sign - specials are painted or taped on windows, and removable

sandwich board signs are displayed on the sidewalk in front of stores. Not only do these

displays contribute to a cluttered and confusing storefront, they obstruct views into and

out of a store and compromise personal and store safety.

Design Considerations:

• Historically, store signs were painted on a wood base, or made of raised

wood or ceramic letters mounted on a wood base. Keep the type face

clear and easy to read.

• Painted plastic letters and moulded polyurethane signs are currently

available, which keep historical themes relevant, while lessening

maintenance issues.

• The colour scheme of the sign could support the overall colour scheme of

the building, or vice versa. By doing this, the building itself extends the

advertising efforts of the sign itself.

• Studies show that a passerby can effectively read seven words on a sign.

Primary signs should advertise the name of the business and the primary

goods or services offered. Target a specific audience.

• In general, the number of signs should be kept to a minimum. Too many

signs can detract from the original message.

• Signs should be integrated into the fabric of the building facade design.

• Back lit signs are not permitted.

• Projecting signs should only cover half the distance to the adjacent curb,

and should be a minimum of eight (8) feet from the ground.

Planters

(Excerpt from Town of Minto Design Guidelines)

Often overlooked, decorative urns, pots, and

hanging baskets provide an extra level of

decor to a storefront that attracts a potential

shopper in a way that conveys hospitality. This

small touch offers a welcoming feeling

suggesting that this is a friendly place to shop.

Window boxes, hanging planters and floor pots or urns can be planted with seasonal

floral displays or support other decorative materials. Design consideration needs to

include replacement for planters in the winter season such as with evergreen

landscaping and wreaths that do not interfere with snow removal.

Design Considerations:

• Durability, creativity, and security are relevant

factors when considering this type of adornment.

• Planters need to be secured or be heavy

enough to deter theft.

• Hanging baskets need to be accessible for watering, but also need to be

out of the way of passing pedestrians.

• Pots and planters can also be used during the winter with the creative use

of dried plant materials, lights, and other ornamentation.

• Larger pots can be planted with evergreen plants if insulated (spray foam

insulation, or cut up pieces of rigid foam insulation)

• Appropriate plant material in regards to sun or shade conditions should be

considered.

• A business or building colour scheme can be accentuated with appropriate

plant choices, or the plants could match the horticultural society’s theme

and colours.

Lighting

(Excerpt from Town of Minto Design Guidelines)

Lighting found on storefronts is for safety purposes as well as to

highlight signage. Unfortunately, the invention of the backlit sign

has undermined many facade improvement

projects - lighting, sign and complete design

flexibility for graphic work in one easy to install

unit is more appealing than having to consider

and maintain each component separately.

However, public opinion in regard to

historic/destination areas show a preference for the more tactile

composition of separate signage and lighting on facades.

Design Considerations:

• The primary goal of a light fixture is to be a source for highlighting a

specific detail, signage or space on the building facade. It is not intended

to draw attention to itself and should be integrated into the facade as part

of the overall theme.

• Lighting should compliment a building and should be appropriate to a

building’s architectural style.

• Lighting of front door areas can be accomplished in two ways. Wall

mounted fixtures with a “Traditional Heritage” theme (lantern style) can

flank a doorway or storefront. A ceiling mounted fixture for a recessed

doorway could provide continuity and connectivity between buildings,

while adding accent colours to emphasize historic details, features and

entrances. take on one of either two forms - a hanging lantern style or a

less decorative fixture such as a recessed ceiling fixture.

• Highlighting signage can be accomplished decoratively with attractive

‘Gooseneck’ lighting. Modern versions of the ‘Gooseneck’ are available

that are less decorative, but maintain the integrity of selective signage and

historical theme.

• Simple, unobtrusive spot lights can also highlight signage that might

otherwise not be able to be lit.

• Modern light fixtures with traditional styling come with up-to-date

technologies that include ‘dark sky’ compliance and shadow guards.

• Avoid pulsating or flashing lights as well as poorly

directed light to the street which will cause distraction for

the motorist and inappropriate glare towards neighbouring

buildings or pedestrians.

Colour

(modified from Town of Minto Design Guidelines)

It is recommended that a palette of two or three complimentary colours be used to

Design Considerations:

• Window trim, wooden cornice detailing, and moulding should be painted in

a contrasting colour to the body of the building.

• Window awnings, shutters and siding colour choices should be

coordinated and should be painted in an accent colour.

• A high quality paint should be used for overall durability.

• Signage could compliment building colour choices but need not be limited

to them.

Palette Selection:

Grand Valley’s historical building stock consists mainly of red brick. Colours best suiting

the existing brick colours are found in a warm range. Within the framework of a

Traditional Heritage theme, we suggest that two colours in warm earthy tones such as

beige, cream, tan and brown form a base palette. The first base colour would be for the

main painted area of the building. The second base colour would be used for trim work -

windows, trim and wooden cornice detailing. A third accent colour would be used for

doors or elements requiring highlighting - awnings, shutters, signage. Accent colours

are tertiary colours such as sage green, burgundy, dark blue and gold.

Available Grant Funds

The following are the applicable funds provided by the Façade and Signage

Improvement Grant Program:

Eligible Items Maximum Funding (% of

total cost) Maximum Contribution

Signage 70% $300.00

Facade Painting (available for facades or parts of a

building that are not currently brick)

70% $600.00

Brick Repointing 70% $1000.00

Applications are to be submitted to the Township and will be approved on a first come

basis.

Useful Resources

Applications for the Facade and Signage Improvement Grant are available from the

Township of Grand Valley and the BIA

Heritage Committee

Dufferin Archives

Fram, Mark. Well Preserved: The Ontario Heritage Foundation’s Manual of Principles

and Practice for Architectural Conservation. Ontario Heritage Foundation, 1988.

Weaver, Martin E. Conserving Buildings: A manual of Techniques and Materials,

Revised Edition. Preservation Press, John Wiley & Sons, 1997.

Phillips, Derek. Lighting Historic Buildings. McGraw Hill, 1997.

http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/heritage/info_sheets/info_sheet_8principles.htm

5 Main Street North Grand Valley, Ontario. L9W 5S6

Phone: 519 - 928 - 5652 Fax: 519 -928 -2275

FAÇADE AND SIGNAGE IMPROVEMENT AREA COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT GRANT/LOAN PROGRAM

APPLICATION FORM

Façade Signage

Application Number (assigned by staff): Date Application Received:

APPLICANT INFORMATION

Property Address: Property Owner: Name of Tenant: Name of Business: Mailing Address:

City/Postal Code: Telephone Number: Fax Number: Cell Phone Number:

PROPERTY INFORMATION

Register Plan Number: Lot Number: Assessment Roll Number: The personal information on this form is collected under the legal authority of the Planning Act, Section 28. The personal information will be used for determining your eligibility for a grant/loan. If you have any questions about the collection, please contact the Clerk-Administrator at (519)928-5652.

Street Address:

WORK ESTIMATES *Must attach two (2) independent contractor estimates for façade improvement and

one (1) independent contractor estimate for signage. Preferred Contractor:

Estimated Construction Cost:

Second Contractor:

Estimated Construction Cost:

Total Construction Cost:

Total Grant Requested:

DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

Please provide a written description of the proposed improvements. Attach at least

one (1) copy of a prepared sketch showing the proposed improvements.

SIGNATURE OF OWNER/AUTHORIZED AGENT AFFIDAVIT OR SWORN DECLARTION DATE OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

I, ________________________________ of the ________________________________

make oath and say or solemnly declare that the information contained in this application

is true, and that the information contained in the documents that accompany this

application is true.

____________________________________

Applicant’s Signature

Authorization: If the applicant is not the owner of the land that is the subject of this application, written authorization of the Owner that the applicant is authorized to make the application must be included with this application.

ATTACH A PICTURE OF THE EXISTING FAÇADE/SIGNAGE

CONSENT OF THE OWNER

Complete the consent of the owner concerning personal information set out below.

CONSENT OF THE OWNER TO THE USE AND

DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

I, ____________________________________, am the owner of the land that is the

subject of this application and for the purposes of the Municipal Freedom of Information

and Protection of Privacy Act, I authorize and consent to the use by or the disclosure to

any person or public body of any personal information that is collected under the

authority of the Planning Act for the purposes of processing this application.

______________________________ ____________________________________

Name of Owner (please print)

Signature of Owner

______________________________

Date

Owner’s Contact Information:

Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________

City:

______________________________________________________

Postal Code:

______________________________________________________

________________________________

______________________________

Telephone (Home)

Telephone (Business)

________________________________ ______________________________

Cell Phone Fax

I, ____________________________________, am the owner of the land that is the

subject of this application and and am aware of and agree to the proposed improvements,

as described in this application